CHEMICAL licences sold to Syria for substances which can be used in the production of nerve gas were intended for 'metal finishing', Philip Hammond claimed today.

Philip Hammond said the chemical licences in the Syria trade deal was for 'metal finishing'

The licences were subsequently revoked in June 2012 and the chemicals never left the UK as the European Union (EU) imposed tough sanctions on Bashar al-Assad.

Licenses for potassium fluoride and sodium fluoride were given months after the civil war conflict began in Syria in January 2012, according to the Sunday Mail.

The chemical can be used to make sarin which is believed to be the weapon used in the attack on Damascus that killed hundreds of people 11 days ago.

Mr Hammond said: "It is the case that export licences were granted for some industrial chemicals, that could have been used in a process that might have been involved in the production of poisonous gases.

"Those export licences were revoked and no such chemicals were exported."

Sarin is believed to be the weapon used in the attack on Damascus

Those export licences were revoked and no such chemicals were exported

Philip Hammond

MPs had called on the Government to answer questions over their chemical trades deal with Syria after details of it emerged over the weekend.

SNP's Angus Robertson had accused the Government of hypocrisy by condemning the use of chemicals weapons while approving the sale of items needed to make them.

Defence Minister Andrew Robathan said the licences for the chemicals had been issued in good faith.

He said: "I know everyone in the House knows that sodium fluoride is used in the fluoridation of drinking water and in toothpaste. I suspect we will be using some today.

"Potassium fluoride has uses in the metallurgical industry and the manufacture of pesticides.

"When it was considered that these could be precursors in some other application, the licences were withdrawn and nothing has been exported."